Research

Disc around star observed in another galaxy for the first time

Astronomers have uncovered evidence of an extragalactic accretion disk for the first time.

‘Strange metal’ is strangely quiet in noise experiment

Rice experiments have provided the first direct evidence that electricity seems to flow through “strange metals” in an unusual liquid-like form. The first “shot noise” experiments on a strange metal from the Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien) are detailed this week in Science by physicists from both universities.

Grant backs research on teaching networks to make better decisions

Rice’s Santiago Segarra and Ashutosh Sabharwal have won a grant from the DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory to develop a machine learning framework that improves military communication networks’ decision-making processes. The research could also help inform applications such as self-driving vehicles and cyber intrusion detection.

Rice announces strategic collaboration agreement with Indian Institute of Science

As part of its strategic global initiative, Rice University leadership recently traveled to the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) where the two institutions agreed to collaborate to develop shared research and industry engagement around the themes of data science, energy and materials.

Study sheds light on how Earth cycles fossil carbon

Rice’s Mark Torres and collaborators used rhenium as a proxy for fossil carbon in order to quantify the rate at which Earth naturally releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and found that high rates of carbon breakdown persist across the different geographical profiles of a river basin.

Fluorine catch-and-attach process could boost drug efficiency

Rice scientists have developed a new low-cost, safe and effective process to free up and reattach fluorine to chemical compounds. In pharmaceuticals, fluorine can expand lifetime, increase absorption and minimize side effects.

Rice announces partnership with Tecnológico de Monterrey

Rice University has announced an agreement with Tecnológico de Monterrey, which will include concurrent doctoral degrees, dual master’s programs and a partnership to expand access to continuing and professional education.

Atomic dance gives rise to a magnet

Rice researchers turned a paramagnetic material into a magnet by manipulating electrons’ spin via atomic motion.

Rice Biotech Launch Pad announces rechargeable oxygenator in development to improve cell-based therapies

Rice University and its Biotech Launch Pad today announced a peer-reviewed publication in Nature Communications detailing the development of a novel and rechargeable device — an electrocatalytic on-site oxygenator (ecO2) that produces oxygen to keep cells alive inside an implantable “living pharmacy,” potentially improving the outcomes of cell-based therapies.

Rice VP for research addresses energy demand at international engineering conference

Rice Executive Vice President for Research Ramamoorthy Ramesh presented the Robert Henry Thurston Lecture, “Energy: The True Final Frontier,” at the International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition.

Global temperature variations impact the planet’s water cycle

A new study by Rice climate scientist Sylvia Dee and an international team of collaborators sheds light on the impact that global temperature variation over the past 2,000 years has had on the planet’s hydrological cycle.

Rice-led TMC-based research center will develop affordable global health technologies for early cancer detection

A Rice-led collaboration of engineers, oncologists and global health partners from three continents is establishing a research center in the Texas Medical Center to develop affordable, effective point-of-care (POC) technologies to improve early cancer detection in low-resource settings in the United States and other countries.

Breakthrough synthesis method improves solar cell stability

A process developed by Rice engineers and collaborators yields 2D halide perovskite crystal layers of ideal thickness and purity through dynamic control of the crystallization process ⎯ a key step toward ensuring device stability for optoelectronics and photovoltaics.

In deep-red Texas, Houston voters want a safer city — even if it means higher taxes and more gun control

Deep in the heart of red-state Texas, more than 80% of Houston voters support measures to reduce firearm deaths and injuries, and a majority may be willing to pay more in additional fees and taxes on essential city services, according to a new report from Rice University’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research.

Three from Rice elected fellows of the American Physical Society

Rice University faculty members Sibani Lisa Biswal , Kaden Hazzard and Andriy Nevidomskyy have been elected fellows of the American Physical Society.